Silvia Ruffini

Silvia Ruffini (1475-1561) was the mistress of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, the future "Pope Paul III". She was born into a noble Roman family, and she befriended Giulia Farnese, who had Sultam Cem give her a tour of the Vatican in 1492. Ruffini was introduced to Alessandro Farnese by his sister Giulia, and he offered to be her escort through Rome. She gave birth to three children, including Pier Luigi Farnese, who was created Duke of Parma by the Pope. She died in 1561.